Mavis Underwood

While working in the office at a Junior Secondary, she was inspired to pursue further education, earning a Professional Teacher’s Certification. She worked in Counselling, Learning Assistance, and First Nations Studies. She has also served as a Social Worker, Drug and Alcohol Counsellor, and Deputy Director for Aboriginal Services BC. She volunteered on the Tsawout Lands, Health and Housing Committees, before being elected to the Tsawout Council. She obtained a Bachelor’s in Child and Youth Care, and a Master’s in Indigenous Governance. She has been a Governor for the Real Estate Foundation of BC, and served as Executive Director of NIL/TU,O Child and Family Services. Mavis received a Woman of Distinction Award for Community Leadership, the Derek Thomson Award for contributions to Social Policy Change, and a Canada 125 medal.

Mavis credits her upbringing with her desire to contribute part of her energy to greater good and to give her knowledge and experience to be a helpful part of positive changes. In working with children, she saw the struggles of many young learners, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who held in common fear and anxiety about the future. She knew how relentless their own thoughts could be as they tried to persevere in school and tried to imagine their adult future. She wanted to be an encouraging voice for them, sharing the good teachings she’d benefited from, committed to use her knowledge to help problem-solve community issues in STAUTW, and to work locally to influence change.